We have already alluded to the resemblance to seeds displayed by the eggs of Phasmidae. The eggs of _Phyllium_ have been studied by several entomologists, and their resemblance to seeds excites general astonishment. Murray describes the egg-capsule of _Phyllium scythe_, and says: "It looks uncommonly like some seeds; if the edges of the seed of _Mirabilis jalapa_ were rubbed off, the seed might be mistaken for the egg. The ribs are all placed at equal distances, except two, which are wider apart, and the space between them flatter, so that on the egg falling it rolls over till it comes to this flatter side, and there lies.... At the top there is a little conical lid, fitting very tightly to the mouth.... On removing the lid we see a beautiful porcelain chamber of a pale French-white colour, bearing a close resemblance to the texture of a hen's egg, but it is not calcareous, and has more the appearance of enamel." The eggs of _P. crurifolium_ have been examined by Joly and Henneguy; their account confirms that of Murray. Henneguy adds that a prominent lozenge on the egg represents the surface by which the achene of an umbelliferous plant is united to the column, and that the micropyles are placed on this lozenge. The minute structure of the capsule has also been examined by several entomologists; and Henneguy,[199] who has described and figured some of the details of the capsule of _P. crurifolium_, says, "Almost every botanist, on examining for {272}the first time a section of this capsule, would declare that he is looking at a vegetable preparation." We may remark that, although there is difference of opinion on the point, the evidence extant goes to show that the egg-capsules are formed in the egg-tubes, only one egg being produced at a time in a tube,[200] the others in it remaining quite rudimentary.